January 17, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 30, 86, 123
Genesis 9:1-17
Hebrews 5:7-14
John 3:16-21

II. Selections
Psalm 86:4
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Genesis 9:2
The fear and dread of you shall rest on every animal of the earth, and on every bird of the air, and on everything that creeps on the ground, and on the fish of the sea; into your hand they are delivered.

Hebrews 5:7
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

III. Meditation: What then shall we do?
Gladden the souls of your servants,
for to you, O Lord, we lift up our souls.

The fear and dread of us rests on every animal of the earth,
and on every bird of the air,
and on everything that creeps on the ground,
and on the fish of the sea;
into our hand you have delivered them.

What then shall we do, if not care for them?

In the days of his flesh,
Jesus offered up prayers and supplications,
with loud cries and tears,
to the one who was able to save him from death,
and you heard him because of his reverent submission.

What then shall we do, if not trust in you? ;

For you so loved the world
that you gave your only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him
may not perish
but may have eternal life.

What then shall we do, if not love you in return?

Gladden the souls of your servants,
for to you, O Lord, we lift up our souls.